In Focus :: IAEA and Iraq
Consolidated Progress Report to Security Council on IAEA Verification Activities in Iraq Pursuant to Resolution 687 (1991) and other Related Resolutions
Letter of IAEA Director General dated 11 April 2005 to Mr. Wang Guangya,
President of the UN Security Council
In paragraph 16 of resolution 1051 (1996), the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is requested to submit consolidated progress reports every six months to the Security Council, commencing 11 April 19961/, on the IAEA´s verification activities in Iraq pursuant to paragraphs 12 and 13 of United Nations Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and related resolutions.
Since 17 March 2003, the IAEA has not been in a position to implement its mandate in Iraq under resolution 687 (1991) and related resolutions. Given the adoption of resolution 1546 (2004) by the Security Council, the IAEA´s mandate pursuant to those resolutions remains valid until the Council decides otherwise. Subject to Security Council guidance and the prevailing security situation, the IAEA stands ready to resume Security Council mandated verification activities in Iraq. The IAEA maintains a core team with the necessary competence required for the fulfillment of this mandate.
During the period covered by this report, the IAEA has continued to consolidate, restructure and further analyze the information collected by it since 1991, with the objectives of: identifying lessons learned, securing data in paper and electronic archives for improved future access and maintenance of knowledge, and developing strategies for future Security Council mandated nuclear verification in Iraq, should the Security Council direct the Agency to do so.
The origin of the information obtained with respect to Iraq during the period covered by this report remained principally open sources (for example commercial satellite imagery of facilities and sites formerly monitored under the IAEA´s ongoing monitoring and verification (OMV) plan). Since March 2003, satellite imagery for 141 of the 175 locations identified by the IAEA as primary sites (sites that formerly contributed to Iraq´s clandestine programme or had technical capabilities of some value for the resumption of a nuclear programme) has been reviewed and assessed with a view to detecting and cataloguing changes that have occurred to the infrastructures of those sites. This assessment has revealed significant dismantling and removal activities at 37 of the most capable sites since March 2003. In the course of this assessment, the IAEA also focused on areas where destroyed equipment from the former nuclear programme had been stored or discarded. Satellite imagery has indicated that at least one site containing buried contaminated rubble has been extensively excavated2/. The above assessments, however, need to be followed up through verification in Iraq in order for the Agency to draw conclusions.
Pursuant to the OMV plan, Iraq is required to declare semi-annually changes that have occurred or are foreseen at sites deemed relevant by the Agency. In this regard, as reported in my letter of 25 October 2004 (S/2004/831), the IAEA was informed by the Iraqi authorities about the loss of high explosives that had been subject to IAEA monitoring. To date, the IAEA has received no additional information that could shed light on this matter.
States are reminded that, both Iraq and States that either export to or import from Iraq items listed in Annex 3 of the IAEA´s OMV plan (see S/2001/561), are required to report the export or import in accordance with the export/import monitoring mechanism approved by the Security Council in resolution 1051 (1996). More generally, all States are urged to inform the Agency about matters relevant to the Agency´s mandate in connection with Iraq.
I should be grateful if you would arrange for this letter to be distributed as a document of the Security Council.
1/ The previous consolidated reports of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency were circulated as documents: S/1996/261 of 11 April 1996; S/1996/833 of 7 October 1996; S/1997/297 of 11 April 1997; S/1997/779 of 8 October 1997; S/1998/312 of 9 April 1998; S/1998/927 of 7 October 1998; S/1999/393 of 7 April 1999; S/1999/1035 of 7 October 1999; S/2000/300 of 11 April 2000; S/2000/983 of 11 October 2000; S/2001/337 of 6 April 2001; S/2001/945 of 5 October 2001; S/2002/367 of 16 April 2002; S/2002/1150 of 16 October 2002, S/2003/422 of 14 April 2003; S/2003/993 of 14 October 2003; S/2004/285 of 13 April 2004 and S/2004/786 of 1 October 2004. Document S/1998/694, dated 27 July 1998, contained the text of an interim status report provided in response to the Security Council presidential statement dated 14 May 1998 (S/PRST/1998/11). Document S/1999/127, dated 9 February 1999 contained the text of an interim status report provided in response to the note by the President of the Security Council dated 30 January 1999 (S/1999/100). Following the resumption of the IAEA´s Security Council mandated activities in Iraq in November 2002, the Council requested several updates. IAEA provided these updates in the form of a report (S/2003/95, dated 27 January 2003) and oral statements to the Security Council by the Director General (on 19 December 2002, 9 and 27 January 2003, 14 February 2003 and 7 March 2003). Finally, the work programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Iraq pursuant to Security Council resolution 1284 (1999) was provided to the Security Council on 20 March 2003 (S/2003/342).
2/ At the request of the Iraqi authorities, the IAEA, using its knowledge of certain facilities and other relevant locations, has compiled information to assist Iraq in its planning for future cleanup activities.